For the third consecutive game and for the fourth time in the last five games for Springfield, the contest was decided in a shootout Thursday night. Kyle Flanagan’s conversion in the ninth round sealed the fate of the game. Jason Akeson also found the back of the net for Adirondack in the shootout, while Jonathan Marchessault was the only Falcon to beat Phantoms netminder Cal Heeter in nine attempts.

The Falcons fought back from a 2-0 deficit to even the score and force overtime. Andrew Joudrey scored a power-play goal at 12:33 of the second period, cutting the Adirondack lead in half. For Joudrey, the score was his fifth of the season and third in the last four games. The team’s assistant captain also added an assist in the contest, giving him six points (three goals, three assists) in the last five games.

Springfield evened the score at the 10:17 mark of the third period, as Spencer Machacek fired a slap shot from the high slot past Heeter.

Adirondack’s goals in regulation were scored by Brandon Alderson at 2:05 of the first period and Brandon Manning at 11:16 of the second period.

Jeremy Smith (13-3-2) took the loss Thursday but made 26 saves on 28 shots through regulation and overtime, and denied Adirondack on seven of nine shootout attempts. Heeter (10-9-0) stopped 29 of 31 shots and eight of nine in the shootout.

Each team found the back of the net once on the power play. Springfield went 1-for-8, while Hartford went 1-for-6.

Earning a point Thursday, Springfield extended its point streak to eight games. The team has earned at least one point in 16 of its last 17 games.

The Falcons return to action at the MassMutual Center Saturday, December 28 to host the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at 7:00 p.m.